BusinessReport.com

POSITION: Co-owner, co-owner and founding member

COMPANIES: Hispanic Connection, A-Team Connection and HANOLA

WHAT THEY DO: Spanish/English language classes, tutoring and translation, labor contracting and not-for-profit business networking

REVENUE: Less than $10 million

NEXT GOALS: Bring professionals to Baton Rouge for English immersion courses, grow company 50% in its second year and increase business recommendations

A din of Spanish bounces around the rooms of the headquarters of Hispanic Connection and A-Team Connection, two companies Maria Edwards co-owns. The atmosphere feels less like an office and more like a joy-filled family home.

Though Edwards is focused on growing her two businesses that offer language services and labor contracting, respectively, she helps increase others’ businesses through the Hispanic American Networking Organization of Louisiana, a not-for-profit business referral network she co-founded in 2003.

What started with five members has expanded to about 20, who offer an array of services from jewelry making to tax preparation. The members meet once a month, talk shop and help bring each other business whenever possible.

“It’s not that big, but it makes a big difference,” she says. “It’s more like a family. We really try to help one another.”

HANOLA’s helping hand extends to other countries as well, aiding a family and business in Guatemala. In less than a year, the organization’s members and word-of-mouth efforts raised more than $12,000 for a single mother of five to build a chicken farm and purchase a home.

“If you can help at least one person throughout your life, just one person, you did it. You did what you have to do.”